Decorative hands-free beverage carrier

ABSTRACT

A decorative beverage carrier is constructed from a brassier for holding and carrying a beverage container designed to be worn around a user&#39;s neck as a fashion accessory. A bra cup is excised from the brassier and has an upper edge and a cup base. A slit is disposed and centered in the cup base to accommodate the stem and base of a wine or cocktail glass. A strap is attached to the upper edge on a first end and to an opposing side of the upper edge on a second end. The strap being long enough to reach around the user&#39;s neck. A beverage container such as a wine glass, cocktail glass, or the like, rests in the cup base with the stemmed glass base extending through the slit below the cup base.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Patent Application No. 61/460,350 filed Dec. 30, 2010, by the present inventor, Patricia Kay McCarthy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to devices for holding and carrying beverage containers. In particular this invention relates to decorative devices for holding and carrying beverage containers adapted to be worn comfortably around a user's neck. More particularly, the present invention utilizes a cup of a woman's brassier to cradle varying sizes of containers, such as cocktail and wine glasses some of which may have a stem.

2. Prior Art

Beverage container carriers are commonly used for hanging a container of liquid from the user's neck so the user has their arms free to engage in various activities. For example, there are several wine yokes and wine necklaces available on-line which have a strap for suspending the carrier around a user's neck, some of which have a hole for accommodating the stem of a glass. However, none of these available carriers are decorative, can be easily washed like a typical woman's bra, or lend themselves to be worn as a decorative fashion accessory.

Examples of other such beverage containers can be found in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,454,497 issued Oct. 3, 1995 to Kettelson; 5,390,838 issued Feb. 21, 1995 to Jafarkhani; and, 7,896,205 issued Mar. 1, 2011 to Gonzalez et al.

While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a decorative beverage carrier that allows the user to safely carry a beverage hands-free that can be easily washed while accessorizing their apparel with an attractive carrier.

Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a need for a new and improved drink carrier for hands-free holding and transporting of a beverage, that is stable, will accommodate a variety of beverage containers, easily cleaned, and an attractive addition to a user's attire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a decorative beverage carrier made from a fancy or decorative woman's brassier. The decorative beverage carrier is designed to hold and carry a beverage container such as a wine glass, a cocktail glass, or the like, and to be worn around a user's neck. In the preferred embodiment, only one of the bra cups is used from the brassier along with the adjustable straps. Various decorative trim, seasonal or other, may be added to the decorative beverage carrier adding utility and appeal.

A slit is disposed and centered in the base of the bra cup. The slit is a length approximate the diameter of the base of a stemmed glass while short enough to avoid the glass or goblet from slipping through.

A strap is attached to an upper edge of the bra cup on a first end and to an opposing side of the upper edge on a second end. The strap can be adjusted to a length that will reach around the user's neck and place the cup at a level preferred by the user.

With the decorative beverage carrier around the user's neck, the beverage container rests in the cup base with the base of the stemmed glass extending through the slit with the bulk of the glass supported by the bra cup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above summary and other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference to the specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a prospective front view of the decorative beverage carrier as worn around the neck of the user in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a prospective rear view of the user depicting the attachment clasp located on the back of the user's neck.

FIG. 3 is a prospective view of the decorative beverage carrier detailing the features of the cradle constructed from a bra cup.

FIG. 4 a-4 c are alternate prospective views of the decorative beverage carrier of the present invention with varying decorative accessories.

DRAWINGS-Reference Numerals: 100 Decorative Beverage Carrier 102 Bra Cup 103 Stem 104 Adjustable Clasp 105 Slit 106 Strap 108 Beverage Container 110 User 202 Clasp 302 Upper Edge 304 Seam 306 Cup Base 402 Bra Décor 404 Decorative Trim

DETAILED DISCUSSION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the figures, like elements retain their indicators throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a front prospective view of Decorative Beverage Carrier 100 as worn around the neck of User 110 in accordance with the present invention. Bra Cup 102 is constructed from one cup of a woman's bra and acts as a cradle, providing support for holding Beverage Container 108. In this embodiment, Slit 105 is located in the base of Bra Cup 102 allowing Stem 103 of a glass to extend through Bra Cup 102 thereby adding counter-balance and stability, and therefore minimizing the liquid or beverage from spilling. Since Bra Cup 102 is constructed from the cup of a woman's bra, a minimal spill is absorbed by the fabric of Bra Cup 102 rather than the user's apparel. FIG. 1 shows Slit 105 in a front to back orientation; however, it can also be side to side.

Strap 106 attaches to opposing edges of Bra Cup 102 and extends around the neck of User 110. In the preferred embodiment, disposed along Strap 106 between Bra Cup 102 and the neck of User 110 is Adjustable Clasp 104 allowing lengthening and shortening of Strap 106 according to the size and preference of User 110. In FIG. 1, Strap 106 is constructed using the shoulder straps from the original bra which has Adjustable Clasp 104 as an integral part of each of the straps. By using straps from the same bra as Bra Cup 102 for Strap 106, the fabric, straps, and clasps are matching. However, it has been contemplated to construct Strap 106 from other materials that may also lend additional fashion or flare to Decorative Beverage Carrier 100. Although FIG. 1 shows an Adjustable Clasp 104 on either side of Bra Cup 102, one Adjustable Clasp 104 may be sufficient.

FIG. 2 is a prospective rear view of User 110 depicting Clasp 202 located along Strap 106 on the back of the user's neck. Clasp 202 is an optional clasp that allows Decorative Beverage Carrier 100 to be wrapped around the neck of User 110 as opposed to pulling Decorative Beverage Carrier 100 over the head of User 110. Additionally, when using the two shoulder straps from a bra, Clasp 202 also functions as a connecting point for the two straps to construct Strap 106.

FIG. 3 is a prospective view of Decorative Beverage Carrier 100 detailing the features of Bra Cup 102. As previously discussed, Strap 106 attaches to Upper Edge 302 on opposing sides of Bra Cup 102 adding balance to Decorative Beverage Carrier 110. Slit 105 is shown in FIG. 3 in a front to back orientation perpendicular to Seam 304 and near center of Cup Base 306. It has also been contemplated to open a center portion of Seam 304 to make Slit 105 while still maintaining the location of Slit 105 near the center of Cup Base 306. In the event the fabric of the selected bra may tend to ravel, the edges of Slit 105 are sewn to prevent the fabric from raveling and to maintain the length of Slit 105.

FIG. 4 a-4 c are alternate prospective views of Decorative Beverage Carrier 100 of the present invention with varying decorative accessories and shapes of Beverage Container 108. FIG. 4 a shows Bra Cup 102 holding a small wine glass. Bra Décor 402 of FIG. 4 a is part of the original bra. In this figure, Decorative Trim 404 matches Bra Décor 402 and is used to disguise Slit 105 while adding elegance to Decorative Beverage Carrier 100. Decorative Trim 404 in this example was taken from the unused cup from the original bra.

FIG. 4 b is an alternate embodiment of the present invention illustrating Decorative Beverage Carrier 100 holding a very large version of Beverage Container 108. Whether a large or a small Beverage Container 108, balance is maintained with the centering of Slit 105 and the attachment of Strap 106 to opposing sides of Bra Cup 102. In FIG. 4 b, Decorative Trim 404 consists of small groupings of artificial grapes that both hide Slit 105 and add to the fashion of Decorative Beverage Carrier 100.

FIG. 4 c is an alternate embodiment of Decorative Beverage Carrier 100 where Bra Décor 402 is sufficient and no further decorative trim is added. FIG. 4 c also illustrates the ability of Decorative Beverage Carrier 100 to carry a stemless glass. Although Slit 105 is still present, it is far smaller than the girth of Beverage Container 108 so it will maintain a position within Cup Base 306 of Bra Cup 102.

The variations of Decorative Beverage Carrier 100 are limitless as there are so many seasonal and festive bras available on the market along with a myriad of available decorative additions such as rhinestones, tassels, fur, and the like. The fabric and/or padding of Decorative Beverage Carrier 100 provide a degree of protection for Beverage Container 108 while freeing the hands of User 110 for other uses. The present invention becomes a bra for a users wine.

Wherein the terms and expressions which have been employed in the foregoing specification are used therein as terms of description and not of limitation, there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the claims which follow. 

1. A decorative beverage carrier constructed from a brassier for holding and carrying a beverage container designed to be worn around a user's neck, comprising: a bra cup excised from the brassier, said bra cup having an upper edge and a cup base; a slit disposed and centered in said cup base, said slit having a length approximate a diameter of a stemmed glass base; and a strap fixedly attached to said upper edge on a first end and to an opposing side of said upper edge on a second end, said strap having a length to reach around the user's neck; wherein, with the decorative beverage carrier around the user's neck, the beverage container rests in said cup base with said stemmed glass base extending through said slit below said cup base.
 2. The decorative beverage carrier of claim 1, further comprising: a clasp located between said first end and said second end of said strap such that said strap can be wrapped and connected behind the user's neck.
 3. The decorative beverage carrier of claim 2, further comprising; at least one adjustable clasp disposed along said strap for lengthening and shortening the decorative beverage carrier according to the user's size and preference.
 4. The decorative beverage carrier of claim 1, wherein said slit is disposed along a seam in said cup base of said bra cup.
 5. The decorative beverage carrier of claim 1, further comprising a decorative trim fixedly attached to said bra cup adding glamour and appeal to the decorative beverage carrier. 